Chattanooga State Expands Pathways to Great Careers
Chattanooga State has something for everyone.
Sponsored by: Chattanooga State Community College
The word in the center of its name says it all.
“We really do lean into being community-centered and community-anchored,” says Nancy Patterson, vice president of college advancement and public relations at Chattanooga State Community College.
“While we are a great option for recent high school graduates and current high school students who want to earn some college credit, we’re also a great asset for adults who want to upskill, reskill, come back to college and finish that degree they started,” Patterson continues.
Some of the college programs include:
In This Article
Early college pathways
From skilled-trade programs and dual-enrollment classes to the Mechatronics Academy at Volkswagen and the Polytech Academy, high school students can follow multiple paths to get a jump-start on college.
Short-term certifications
Nationally recognized programs in disciplines from welding to Google IT prepare students for high-demand jobs in just two to six weeks, and the “stackable” credentials may count towards a technical credential or associate degree.
The Skill-up program offers hands-on, earn and learn training for area Chattanooga residents, including the underserved.
Technical credentials in dozens of fields range from radiation therapy to paralegal studies, HVAC/R technician to computer support technician.
ChattState is the only community college in the state to house a Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT), where students can earn a one-year technical diploma and often up to 20 credit hours toward an associate degree.
Customized workforce training solutions
For decades, ChattState has led the way in forging partnerships with companies like Whirlpool, Gestamp and TVA. College instructors provide company-specific training on campus, at the worksite or at another location, and for different shifts. “Whatever the business needs, we want to deliver that training solution for them,” Patterson notes.
Undergraduate degrees
Most students qualify for grants or tuition-free scholarships, and about half transfer to public universities, saving money on the first two years of their higher education.
Meeting the needs of the community has paid off for both students and employers. “We are proud of our current 99% job placement rate for our graduates,” Patterson concludes.
For more information about Chattanooga State Community College, visit chattanoogastate.edu.
